The Man Who Knew Too Much (article)
| The Insider | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Michael Mann |
| Produced by |
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| Written by |
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| Based on | "The Man Who Knew Too Much" by Marie Brenner |
| Starring | |
| Music by | |
| Cinematography | Dante Spinotti |
| Edited by | |
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Production
companies |
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| Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution |
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Release date
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Running time
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157 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $68 million |
| Box office | $60.2 million |
| The Insider (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
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| Soundtrack album by Various artists | |
| Released | October 26, 1999 |
| Recorded | 1999 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Label | Sony |
| Producer |
Lisa Gerrard and Pieter Bourke Graeme Revell |
The Insider is a 1999 American biographical drama film directed by Michael Mann, from a script adapted by Eric Roth and Mann from Marie Brenner's Vanity Fair article "The Man Who Knew Too Much". The film stars Al Pacino and Russell Crowe, with supporting actors including Christopher Plummer, Bruce McGill, Diane Venora and Michael Gambon.
A fictionalized account of a true story, it is based on the 60 Minutes segment about Jeffrey Wigand, a whistleblower in the tobacco industry, covering the personal struggles of him and CBS producer Lowell Bergman as they defend his testimony against efforts to discredit and suppress it by CBS and Wigand's former employer.
Though not a box office success, The Insider received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with particular focus on Crowe's portrayal of Wigand, and Mann's direction. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role (for Russell Crowe).
A prologue establishes the courage and journalistic integrity of Bergman and Mike Wallace as they prepare to interview Sheikh Fadlallah for 60 Minutes.
Bergman approaches Wigand−who has recently been fired from the Brown & Williamson tobacco company−for help translating technical documents. Wigand agrees but Bergman is intrigued when, unprompted, he refuses to discuss anything else. B&W later demand, under threat of legal and financial harm, that Wigand sign a more restrictive confidentiality agreement. Wigand accuses Bergman of betraying him. Bergman visits Wigand's home in Kentucky and vigorously defends himself. Wigand is reassured but hesitant to reveal anything that might threaten his family's medical coverage, apparently possessing very damaging information.
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Wikipedia